Rudrapur, Feb. 2 -- Preparations for the famous Purnagiri fair have begun in Champawat district, with the 109-day-long religious fair scheduled to commence from February 27. Bidding for various arrangements, including electricity, tents and other essential services, has started, with the 'mundan' (tonsuring) contract being released for a record Rs.1.32 crore, officials said on Sunday. Senior officials associated with the fair management said the bid for tonsuring, considered one of the most significant rituals at the shrine, for the 2026-27 period was finalised on Saturday. SDM Tanakpur and Purnagiri fair magistrate Anurag Arya said that preparations are underway at the zila panchayat level, which is responsible for organising the fair and making all necessary arrangements. "The preparations for the 109-day-long Purnagiri fair have begun at the zila panchayat level. The zila panchayat is responsible for organising the fair and carrying out arrangements during the entire period. Our responsibility is to maintain law and order. Police personnel are already posted at the local police outposts, and additional force will be deployed during the fair period," Arya said. He said the fair is organised by the zila panchayat in coordination with the district administration, while the police, civil administration and other departments work jointly for smooth conduct of the event. Tonsuring (mundan) at the Purnagiri shrine is considered a highly auspicious ritual, and thousands of pilgrims get their children's heads tonsured every year as part of religious belief and tradition. "Since mundan is regarded as an auspicious ritual at Purnagiri, a large number of devotees opt for it during the fair. The bid for the mundan contract for the 2026-27 period has been released for Rs.1.32 crore," officials said. The Purnagiri shrine, located on a cliff about 24 km from Tanakpur, near the Indo-Nepal border in Champawat district, witnesses massive footfall every year....